Emmanuel Gospel Center
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An urban ministry based in
The mission of Emmanuel Gospel Center is to understand and nurture the vitality of urban churches and communities. We conduct research to help us make informed decisions about where to best apply our limited resources. Understanding how the Center's programs interact with the systems of the city is critical because without a thorough knowledge of the context in which ministry takes place, programs can actually be counter-productive, especially in the urban environment.
Since the 1960s, Emmanuel Gospel Center has expanded and changed in response to the needs of urban churches and the communities they serve. While our ministries have changed over the years, and will continue to change, what stays the same is the way these programs are developed and implemented. We seek to understand the city as a large, highly interrelated social/spiritual system which, when nurtured properly, is capable of supporting the positive development of all individuals. Very simply, we take the time to get to know the city, its churches and its people. Then we develop appropriate programs in response to what we learn by listening and being involved, in collaboration with those most affected. All our programs stress the importance of relationships and are designed with high standards to be effective over the long run.
Ministries:
Applied Evaluation Systems
Applied Research & Consulting
Boston Education Collaborative
Cambodian Ministry
CityServe
Economic Development
Greater Boston Church Planting Collaborative
Haitian Ministries International
Ministry Development
Intercultural Ministries
Starlight Ministries (to the homeless)
Urban Ministry Training
Youth Ministry - Nexus
History
It all started as a neighborhood mission. In the early part of the 20th century, Mr. and Mrs. William Morgan used "The Little Church on Wheels" — a small church built on a truck chassis that served as a prop and a sound stage — to bring the Gospel message to Boston Common. In the 1920s and '30s, thousands gathered to hear preaching on the Common from this Little Church on Wheels.
In 1938, Mrs. Morgan rented space for an indoor ministry at 10 Columbus Square in the South End. Thus Emmanuel Gospel Center began that fall with the dedication services taking place on October 3. Sidney Marsh was the Center's first superintendent. From 1939 to 1944, Mr. & Mrs. Ringer served as superintendents. During the early years, leaders from the nearby Presbyterian Church provided guidance and assistance. Dr. Jack Mark, for example, was president of the board from 1941-1976. In October 1947, Emmanuel Gospel Center moved to larger facilities at 84 West Dedham Street, just a block from our present building at 2 San Juan Street. The Center took over the building which had been used by the John 3:16 Mission. The ministry offered church services every night to the working poor of Boston's South End, along with Sunday school classes for children and youth.
In 1964, a young couple named Doug and Judy Hall came to Boston while Doug was attending Gordon Divinity School, now Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Their goal was to become missionaries to India, but in the meantime, they wanted to serve "in a job no one else wanted." So Doug accepted the position of superintendent of Emmanuel Gospel Center, with responsibilities for everything from preaching to fixing the plumbing.
Initially, Doug and Judy continued the original ministries of the Center. A trailer was built to serve as a stage and base for a screen, electrical generator and sound system, so evangelistic films could be shown outdoors. And pastors from different churches in Boston came to the Center to lead church services and teach Sunday School classes. But several years after the Halls arrived, something very special and unusual happened. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church brought their pastor, their choir and their congregation. They didn't want to have church for the poor, they wanted to have church with the poor.
This event taught Doug and Judy a lot. They realized that an indigenous local church ministering to people in their own community provides a far more effective approach to urban ministry than a neighborhood mission. As Doug and Judy gradually became aware of developing, vibrant churches all over Boston, Emmanuel Gospel Center changed its strategy from primarily direct, one-on-one ministry to strengthening and supporting the work of urban churches.
External links
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